A Million In Foundation Grants

Sonora, CA — The Sonora Area Foundation handed out more than $1.2 million dollars in 2013.

The grants and scholarships were awarded to local nonprofit organizations and students for a variety of projects and programs. Many centered on the poor economy to provide what the foundation calls a “safety net” of services to help local residents with basic needs. The group also gave to Rim Fire recovery efforts and that could be a major focus in 2014.

Executive Director Ed Wyllie says, “There is going to be a lot of activities going on out in the forest area that we could have some grant money be able to go towards. Whether that’s to assist with reforestation efforts or to go towards repairs of facilities, there are a lot of things that we may be able to get involved with in terms of the recovery activities.”

The Foundation’s competitive grants program awarded $433,542 in 35 grants. Another $826,786 was given through donor funds. Student scholarships totaled $176,718. Over the past 24 years, $18,527,683 has been awarded in grants to the community through the Foundation and its supporting organizations, the Irving J. Symons Foundation for Tuolumne County and the Symons Family Fund.